Tehachapi blood drive results

The Tehachapi blood drive held Nov. 2 was again a huge success, with 87 people coming out to help save lives. Coming off a record turnout in September with 90 people registering and 75 completing donating blood products, this week donors braved the cold temperatures, and 65 successful donations of blood products were collected ranking as the second largest turnout in our three plus years of organizing community drives.

"I now know not to be surprised at the turnouts for these blood drives, our community is constantly supporting and helping others. For me, its personal, I have had several family members that have needed blood products to help them battle cancer and other medical issues to stay alive, so I say thank you to all who take time to donate blood, plasma, and platelets," said Key Budge, event coordinator.

Each unit listed can help save up to three lives in Kern County. With 75 people donating that number becomes 225 potential lives impacted by these donations. The drive was highlighted by Christina Scrivner donating her 8th gallon of blood, she received her official acknowledgement (license plate frame noting 8 gallons donated) from HCBB.

Houchin Community Blood Bank, Tehachapi Vineyard Church, Tehachapi Valley Health Care District, California Highway Patrol and the City of Tehachapi worked together on this blood drive. New to this event was having the California Highway Patrol come out and offer child safety seat inspections and provide educational material to attendees.

More than 1,200 people from Tehachapi have donated blood potentially impacting as many as 3,600 lives just in Kern County from the Tehachapi blood drives in the city since 2019. The next Tehachapi Blood Drive will be Thursday, Jan. 12, at Tehachapi Vineyard Church, 502 E. Pinon St., Tehachapi.